Senior Director, US HCP Marketing

Who We Are:
Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: XENE) is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to drug discovery, clinical development, and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics for patients in need. We are looking for great people who thrive in a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and productive culture to join the Xenon team.

What We Do:
We are advancing an exciting product pipeline to address indications with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy and depression. Our flagship azetukalner program represents the most advanced, clinically validated potassium channel modulator in late-stage clinical development for multiple indications. Building upon the positive results and compelling data from our Phase 2b “X-TOLE” study in adult patients with focal epilepsy, our Phase 3 epilepsy program includes multiple clinical trials evaluating azetukalner in patients with focal onset seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In August 2025, we announced the completement of patient recruitment in our Phase 3 X-TOLE2 study and topline data are anticipated in early 2026. We also have multiple Phase 3 azetukalner clinical trials in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BPD) underway, based on topline data from our Phase 2 “X-NOVA” clinical trial. In addition, we are proud of the leading-edge science coming out of our discovery labs, including early-stage research programs that leverage our extensive ion channel expertise and drug discovery capabilities to identify validated drug targets and develop new product candidates, and have recently initiated Phase 1 studies for our follow-on Kv7 channel opener, XEN1120, and our lead Nav1.7 development candidate, XEN1701, in pain. Backed by a strong balance sheet to support our growth plans, we continue to build a fully integrated, premier neuroscience company with strong discovery, clinical development, corporate, and commercial operations.

About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Director, US HCP Marketing, with a passion for building a brand, growing a function and capabilities and delivering a successful first launch for a late-stage, Phase 3 company. The Senior Director, US HCP Marketing, will be an integral member of Xenon’s Marketing team and play a critical role in preparing and delivering the successful launch of our lead candidate and first product, azetukalner, in the multi-billion-dollar epilepsy category. More specifically, they will build a high-performing HCP Marketing team and be responsible for shaping brand and US launch strategies and leading a promotional plan that accomplishes azetukalner’s market aspiration and business goals in epilepsy. This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for an experienced marketer seeking to lead the potential launch of a novel, high-value product and make a significant positive impact for patients.
This position reports to the Vice President, Marketing and will be based in Boston, MA, USA. We will consider other jurisdictions for exceptional candidates.
The level of the position will be commensurate with the candidate’s education and industry experience. Relocation and immigration support will be provided, if required. This role is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

RESPONSIBILITIES:Brand & US Launch Strategy:

• Shape azetukalner brand and US launch strategy in collaboration with VP, Marketing and cross-functional partners
• Lead development of brand positioning, and development of HCP-focused disease state and brand strategic narratives, core messages and campaigns
• Collaborate with Patient Marketing to ensure consistency in positioning and messaging strategy
• Partner with customer-facing and market access teams to ensure an outstanding customer experience aligned with brand vision and strategy
• Partner with Commercial Business Insights to shape a competitive intelligence, analytics and market research plan to build, refine and measure strategy, including competitive monitoring, HCP targeting and segmentation, positioning research, customer segment profiles and deep dives, campaign and messaging research, ATU and performance dashboards
• Partner with Commercial Business Insights and customer-facing leads to develop and refine HCP targeting and segmentation
• Lead other brand development and strategy as may be assigned from time to time

Promotional Plans:

• Lead development and oversee execution of the HCP promotional plan to achieve brand/launch strategy and goals, including personal and non-personal tactics, with strong focus on identifying, testing and integrating innovative approaches to reach and engage target customers
• Collaborate closely with field sales team including sales leadership, sales training & field representatives, to ensure execution of marketing strategies and tactics
• Define KPIs and measure ROI across promotional initiatives to optimize performance and inform promotional strategy

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Maintain strong relationships and connectivity with cross-functional Medical, Market Access, Corporate Affairs and customer-facing leaders to formulate brand and launch strategy

Professional Engagement:

• Oversee interactions with opinion leaders, lead advisory boards, and oversee speaker bureaus and congress planning

Launch Readiness:

• Collaborate within Launch Readiness team and workstream to advance Commercial readiness

Vendor & Budget Management:

• Select and manage agency partners (creative, media) and other external vendors and manage marketing budgets to effectively and efficiently deliver strategy and tactics

Team Building & Leadership:

• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing HCP marketing team covering all aspects of brand/launch strategy and HCP promotion and engagement
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity/innovation, accountability, and performance, aligned to our corporate values
• Develop and propose short- and long-term objectives for the function in accordance with overall Company strategies and plans
• Plan and manage budget proposals and approved budgets in accordance with the Company’s strategic and operating plans and Finance policies
• Recruit, lead, direct, develop, coach and evaluate direct reports, if any, in accordance with the Company’s Human Resource policies and practices
• Act in accordance with Company policies, including, for example, the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and ensure policies are understood and followed by direct reports, if any
• Some international travel may be required
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced science degree and/or MBA preferred
• Seasoned commercial professional, with 12+ years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry in marketing and adjacent functions, and significant experience in US HCP marketing, engagement and communications. US large category launch and epilepsy/neurology experience highly preferred
• Sales Experience a plus – either at the representative or line manager level
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage, influence, and develop across cross-functional teams
• Extraordinary skills in critical thinking include observation, analysis, being able to succinctly articulate a problem, and identify a data-driven solution[s]. Ability to conduct investigative analyses for a given issue and lead a team to developing a solution/conclusion in an efficient and effective manner
• Well-developed ability to synthesize complex or copious information into the critical few takeaways, or important messages
• Outstanding project and budget management skills and track record for managing multiple vendors, marketing partners and agency partners, including effective resource allocation and fiscal management
• Proven ability to collaborate and work cross-functionally to drive business results in a heavily matrixed, fast-paced environment; demonstrated success in partnering with key cross-functional partners, including Medical Affairs, Market Access, Sales, Product Support, Compliance, and Promotional Regulatory Affairs organizations
• Experience building teams, as well as leading and developing direct and matrixed teams to drive high-impact output
• Ability to travel up to 25%
• Excellent professional presence, interpersonal, oral, written and presentation skills

The base salary range for this role is $281,501 to $305,069 USD; we will consider above this range for exceptional candidates. Base salary is determined by a combination of factors including, but not limited to, education and other qualifications, years of relevant experience, and internal equity.

Our Total Rewards program includes base salary, target bonus, and stock options, as well as a full range of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-& long-term disability, accidental death & dismemberment, and life insurance programs, Employee Assistance Program, travel insurance, and retirement savings programs with company matching contributions.
Xenon encourages time to rest and re-charge through vacation, personal days, sick days, and an end-of-year company shutdown. Xenon highly values employee development and has an expanding Training, Learning & Development program, including a Tuition Assistance program for advanced degrees.
As part of our hiring process, Xenon conducts background checks for finalist candidates. The types of checks conducted will vary depending on the relevance to the position.
US positions only: Xenon Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. participates in the E-Verify program in all states in which we hire. Learn more about the E-Verify program here.
To apply for this position, click Apply Now to complete the application. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to the volume of applicants, only those chosen for interview will be contacted.